The Guilty

Magnolia Pictures | Release Date: October 19, 2018

8.0	USER SCORE Generally favorable reviews based on 98 Ratings

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JohnMurlowskiDec 9, 2018

This is the most gripping movie I've seen in years. The filmmaking and the lead (and only) actor is stunning. See it before they ruin it with an American remake.

5 of 5 users found this helpful50

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Brent_MarchantAug 1, 2020

This chilling tale of an overzealous but compassionate Copenhagen policeman assigned to emergency services desk duty while on probation serves up a taut, edge-of-your-seat psychological thriller about his valiant efforts to aid in theThis chilling tale of an overzealous but compassionate Copenhagen policeman assigned to emergency services desk duty while on probation serves up a taut, edge-of-your-seat psychological thriller about his valiant efforts to aid in the investigation of a possible kidnapping of a young mother by her ex-convict husband. Told almost entirely through a series of phone conversations between the officer and his colleagues, the victim and the alleged perpetrator, writer-director Gustav Moller relies on the sound of his performers' voices to carry the story, forcing viewers to use their own imaginations to visually fill in the gaps, an expert use of Hitchcock's rule if there ever were one. The result is a harrowing journey into the minds of the characters, as well as the viewers' own minds, aided by a script loaded with unexpected twists and turns. This captivating offering reaches out and grabs the audience's attention despite its simple, play-like staging, presenting a gripping story that only gets better the further along it goes. A genuine and vastly underrated cinematic knock-out.… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

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RaduAJan 5, 2019

This film is a masterpiece. This film, which takes place only in one place, does not become boring, but on the contrary becomes more interesting. The smart use of twists and good visual and audible quality increase suspense. Let's not forgetThis film is a masterpiece. This film, which takes place only in one place, does not become boring, but on the contrary becomes more interesting. The smart use of twists and good visual and audible quality increase suspense. Let's not forget about Jakob Cedergren who performs very well.… Expand

2 of 3 users found this helpful21

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movieducationOct 29, 2018

Danish submission at the Oscars - THE GUILTY makes prolonged echo after credit rolls by defying my typical judgement that is coming from the premise only. Simple and thrilling, foreseeable revelation and deeply human, affecting story ofDanish submission at the Oscars - THE GUILTY makes prolonged echo after credit rolls by defying my typical judgement that is coming from the premise only. Simple and thrilling, foreseeable revelation and deeply human, affecting story of seeking redemption out of thin air.… Expand

1 of 2 users found this helpful11

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AnanisaptaMay 9, 2019

This is the best drama I've seen in years! It follows the classic Greek rule of unity in action, place, and time -- a single character and some voice actors, in a confined area, in real time, lasting a bit more than an hour. The authorsThis is the best drama I've seen in years! It follows the classic Greek rule of unity in action, place, and time -- a single character and some voice actors, in a confined area, in real time, lasting a bit more than an hour. The authors mercilessly toy with your assumptions and prejudices, and have the courage to leave you a bit up in the air at the end. Not to give it all away, "Who ya gonna call?" is the question. The ghost of Sigmund Freud hovers over the shoulder of a singularly satisfying dramatic performance.… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

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amheretojudgeDec 9, 2018

Miller's skilled mannerism on verbally melting you down on your very right spot through speculative display of antics is frankly just plain impressive.

Den Skyldige Miller's skilled mannerism on verbally melting you down on your very rightMiller's skilled mannerism on verbally melting you down on your very right spot through speculative display of antics is frankly just plain impressive.

Den Skyldige

Miller's skilled mannerism on verbally melting you down on your very right spot through speculative display of antics is frankly just plain impressive. It is a concept that has been overridden aplenty in the past despite of its uniqueness, but somehow Moller has seems to have decoded it. At a brisk of ninety minutes of showdown, his stage is busy and compelling enough to bedazzle you with one face. In his defense, that face is expressive. Narrowed down into a brief period of husky content, the concept is gripping enough to boost the makers for a much longer time, arguably the entire film. With an infomercial ground as such, there is very little space for the writers to weave out a genuine emotion out of such a confined place that is crowded to its full.

Smartly, the writers has a backstory that they are not ready to reveal until the very last moment, they are waiting for the iron to be at its weakest stage in order to strike the hammer. And sharing that mutual thought or emotion, the only reason they took this much time is to create that arc, kudos to the writers to pull it off. Armed with such a brutal script, co-written by Moller himself alongside Albertsen, it is also a difficult subject to execute upon.

Since there is not much room for Moller to satisfy the itch of using the camera work to its creativity, he has few tricks up his sleeve. And he is not a guy that quits at round one, he uses the tense environment on the script to foliate it by making Cedergren fumble on actions and words. He also uses props and surrounding of the office like shutting down the drapes, switching to a highly functional and efficient computer or table to increase the stakes.

In order to depict the day to day issues that they go through with, he imputed various other cases as a phone call that sends a vital message out there. Another major aspect he uses for the audience to visualize the off screen action is by using sharp sound effects and clear cut audio on phone to makes thing easier. Aforementioned, Cedergren is the apt choice for such a role, his chiseled jawline should not be judged upfront, his vocabulary is generous, his words firm and his eyes speaks the guilt that the film has been endorsing about.

Despite of various emotions he goes through the one that gets to you, is where there is a silent pitch on screen and there is nothing but him breathing is what's left between you and him. The primary reason why Moller's world is adaptive and the tale absorbing, is how humble it is, each character is dipped on their sorrow and is yet ready to shred the last inch of their life for the betterment of others, and on that beautiful note, it is hauntingly poignant. Den Skyldige is more theatrical act than it is cinematic, all the cards are not won over by it, but then not all of it were dealt.… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

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aboode95Jan 12, 2019

A story so gripping that you'd be glued to your seat. If you think you want to just play a movie in the background while you do something else, you can't do that with this movie. Thriller is written all over it. And the exclamation part isA story so gripping that you'd be glued to your seat. If you think you want to just play a movie in the background while you do something else, you can't do that with this movie. Thriller is written all over it. And the exclamation part is that the whole movie is inside one place. A feeling of helplessness kicks in, barging through the door and you are left wondering what is going to happen next? What will he do? Truly a must see movie.… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

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everettJul 29, 2023

This film is masterful in the purest way - incredibly suspenseful, with no bells & whistles, just the sheer brilliance of its writing and acting.